Lord’s, London:
At stumps on Day 2 of the third Test at Lord’s, India finished at 145/3, still 242 runs behind England’s first innings total of 387. Joe Root’s sublime 104 led England’s innings, while Jasprit Bumrah produced another Lord’s masterclass with figures of 5/74, earning his name on the honours board for a second time.
India’s top order, led by KL Rahul (53), has shown good resistance so far. He will resume batting alongside Rishabh Pant (19), with Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya still to follow.
Core memory! ♾️@Jaspritbumrah93 recalls a fond memory from the previous English tour & how proud he is to be on the iconic Honours Board at the Lord’s!#ENGvIND 👉 3rd TEST, Day 3 | SAT, 12th JUL, 2:30 PM onwards on JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/4IgMOeLruy
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 12, 2025
Predictions For Day 3
Day 3 is expected to be the decisive phase of this Test match. If India bat well and get close to England’s total or even surpass it, they’ll be in a position to push for victory. However, early wickets could open the door for England to seize control.
Given the pitch at Lord’s has already started to offer variable bounce and some lateral movement in the morning sessions, the first hour on Day 3 will be crucial. A lead of 70+ runs could be match-defining for either side.
Also Read: “Somebody’s Wife…”: Jasprit Bumrah’s Witty Reply Lights Up Lord’s Presser!
India’s Strategy For Day 3
- Build Long Partnerships:
KL Rahul and Pant must extend their stand deep into the morning session. Their main goal will be to bat time and tire out the England seamers. - Lower-Order Runs:
India’s tail, including Bumrah and Siraj, needs to contribute at least 30-40 runs. Every run will count on a deteriorating pitch. - Control The Game Pace:
Even a slow scoring rate is acceptable as long as wickets are preserved. Once the deficit is cut to under 100, pressure will shift back to England.
England’s Strategy For Day 3
- Strike Early, Strike Hard:
England’s bowlers especially Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes will target early wickets. The big prize will be KL Rahul, who has looked solid so far. - Use The Slope & Movement:
With the Lord’s slope helping seam movement, England’s bowlers should persist with a fullish length just outside off-stump. - Contain Pant’s Natural Game:
If Pant starts attacking, England must push him back with bouncers and smart field placements, cutting off easy singles and boundaries. - Enforce a Batting Collapse:
If India lose one or two quick wickets, England will aim to run through the middle and lower order and establish a significant first-innings lead.
Day 3 Session Forecast
| Session | Key Focus |
|---|---|
| Morning | Rahul and Pant must survive and frustrate England. |
| Afternoon | England to push with second new ball; India aiming 250+ |
| Evening | Potential turnaround: Can India gain a first-innings lead? |
This is a match set up perfectly heading into Day 3. India will want to bat the entire day and either close in or surpass England’s 387. England, on the other hand, know that a few wickets early on could expose India’s tail and give them a big advantage. Both teams are aware that Day 3 could tilt the balance of this Test and possibly the series.
If India reach 330+, they could control the match. But if England pick up 3–4 wickets in the morning session, the hosts may take a first-innings lead and set up a dominant position heading into Day 4. Expect a gripping day of Test cricket.
